Radio-controlled (or R/C ) cars are usually categorized as either "toy" or "hobby" grade. Remote control vehicles are usually of one of two types: control of a vehicle by radio transmission or by a wire connecting between the transmitter and car. This article focuses on the radio-controlled vehicle category, both toy and hobby grades.
Cars are powered by various sources. Electric cars are powered by small but powerful electric motors and rechargeable nickel-cadmium, nickel metal hydride, or lithium polymer cells. There are also brushed or brushless electric motors. Most fuel-powered models use glow plug engines, small internal combustion engines fueled by a special mixture of nitromethane, methanol, and oil (in most cases a blend of castor oil and synthetic oil). These are referred to as "nitro" cars. Recently, exceptionally large models have been introduced that are powered by small gasoline engines, similar to weedwhacker motors, which use a mix of oil and gasoline. Electric cars are generally considered easier for the novice to work with compared to fuel-driven models, but can be equally as complex at the higher budget and skill levels.
In both of these categories, both on-road and off-road vehicles are available. Off-road models, which are built with fully-functional off-road suspensions, can be used on various types of terrain. In comparison, on-road cars, which generally have a limited or non-existent suspension, are strictly limited to smooth, paved surfaces.
Toy-grade radio control
The term "toy" or "toy-grade" in regards to radio control cars is used to describe vehicles of the pre-assembled type generally found in discount stores and consumer electronics stores. They are often colloquially referred to as "Radio Shack cars". Some toy-grade R/C models may also be found in hobby shops in an attempt to appeal to young users. Generally speaking, a toy R/C is meant as a child's plaything.
Advantages
Cost is the number one advantage of toy R/C vehicles. The average medium-scale toy R/C car is around $50–$100 cheaper than an entry-level electric hobby class vehicle. Toy class vehicles are easy to operate, have a relatively low danger level (top speeds are typically under 20mph, with most only capable of 10-15mph) and most are even easier to set up than the simplest hobby class ready-to-run vehicles (RTR's). Toy class vehicles are usually modeled after real cars (most hobby class vehicles aren't), and often feature details that hobby class vehicles lack, like working lights, sounds, windows, opening doors and hoods, and realistic interiors. Some also feature working sound systems with radios or MP3 player inputs. There is also an almost endless array of toy R/C vehicles, ranging from common cars and trucks, to tanks, bulldozers, and motor cycles, to increasingly odd vehicles with unorthodox designs.
Disadvantages
There are disadvantages to toy R/C vehicles – primarily crude design and construction, poor performance, cheap hardware, and the lack of spare parts. Toy R/C cars have very crude construction when compared to even the most basic entry-level hobby class vehicles. Most lack any form of a suspension and the ones that do feature a suspension have very primitive or rudimentary designs. The same goes for the electronics and radio system. Steering is typically not proportional (with only three positions: straight, full left, and full right) and there is typically no proportional "throttle" either, with stopped and full power being the only options. Performance is poor as well. Most are equipped with small, weak motors and are powered by cheap alkaline or NiCd batteries which means their top speed is usually only 10-15mph, and they have short run times before new batteries are required. However, a new lithium-ion polymer battery has been developed. It comes with an electronic unit and an on/off switch with LED lights that give the status of the battery. It is lighter, smaller, and more powerful than previous batteries. Toy R/C models are usually limited to on road use only. Even models that are supposedly off road oriented perform poorly off road. Toy R/C vehicles are meant to be played with until they fail. They are difficult to repair and replacement parts are almost impossible to come by. Stores selling the vehicles rarely carry spare parts beyond replacement batteries and chargers. Some basic parts may be available from the manufacturer - both Tyco R/C and New Bright have a basic parts list enclosed with their models - but they can be expensive and parts may take several weeks to arrive from their Asian factories. Radio equipment, unlike hobby-grade, is non-standardized and non-repairable unless one has the necessary tools and equipment. Except for RadioShack's line of ZipZaps toy R/C cars, their XMODS line (which falls between toy- and hobby-grade), and their recent Pro-Pulse series of cars (discontinued), no aftermarket parts are available for toy R/C, although an enterprising modeler may be able to retrofit standard, discrete radio gear to them.
Hobby-grade radio control
In recent years, hobby-grade "ready-to-run" (or "RTR") models have become available from every major manufacturer of radio-controlled cars, attracting many hobbyists who would otherwise have purchased a pre-assembled car (ARTR or Race-Roller). Vehicles of this type need little or no final assembly and in many cases, the bodies are shipped painted and trimmed, requiring little work from the owner before they can be used (other than purchasing and installing batteries). A number of cars and trucks are presently available only in ready-to-run form. The growing popularity of the RTR vehicle has prompted manufacturers to introduce kit versions of their RTR cars that include factory upgrades but have no radio gear installed and often no motor or speed controller.
Nitro-powered models
Fuel-powered engines allow model cars to reach moderate speeds unmodified. Maximum power is generally achieved at medium to high speeds, and a slightly slower throttle response than electrically powered vehicles is to be expected. Electric motors effectively produce instantaneous torque, whereas nitro engines, like full-sized gasoline engines, take time for the engine to spool up and for the clutch to engage. Nitro- (and fuel) powered cars may be refueled and returned to action in a few seconds, as opposed to electrics needing to remove the body shell and battery fasteners to replace a discharged battery. Nitro cars are completely air cooled, and may be run continuously with no need to take breaks for cooling down. Nitro cars tend to be larger than electric cars on average, because affordable high-performance electronics are only generally available in 1:10 scale and smaller. However, scale equivalents do exist in both nitro and electric forms.
Nitro-powered cars operate like full-sized fuel vehicles more than their electric counterparts do, making use of a two stroke engine rather than an electric motor. The sound of the engine and design of the drive train are main selling points to nitro enthusiasts. However, their exhaust contains unburned oil, which usually ends up coating the chassis. This, in turn, requires more cleaning than an electric-powered equivalent. Cleaning is usually achieved by the use of compressed air nozzles and solvents (such as denatured alcohol). Tuning a fuel-powered vehicle requires learning to maintain optimum performance and fuel economy, and to minimize engine wear and overheating, even in ready-to-run vehicles.
Because of higher stock performance and their ability to be driven for longer periods of time, mechanical wear in nitro vehicles is generally greater than in electric vehicles. In addition, the increased speed and weight of fuel-powered vehicles generally lead to higher speed collisions, causing greater damage to the collided vehicles, and a greater degree of safety concerns needs to be taken into account. However, nitro vehicles are more durable due to stronger components to sustain the greater stresses of more power.
Gas-powered models
Gasoline powered vehicles, also known as "fuelies" or "gassers", run on premixed gasoline and oil. They cost much more (usually $1000–$3000 RTR) than nitro and electric cars. They are also much bigger and therefore require much more space to run. They don't usually have high top end speeds (compared to nitro and some electrics) but have lots of power and don't take a lot of fuel to run. Over time the cost of a gas-powered car can be less than some nitro-powered vehicles, because of the high cost of nitro fuel and buying new nitro engines to replace worn-out ones. In addition, gas-powered motors rarely if ever require tuning and have a very long lifespan. These large scale models have been popular in Europe for over a decade.
Accessories
All R/C models generally require the purchase of additional accessories. For electrical vehicles, battery packs and a suitable charger are needed to power the car. A soldering iron and supplies are often necessary to build high-performance battery packs and install upgraded electronics or low-resistance plugs. For nitro-powered vehicles, a glow plug heater and
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